The event that helped the abolitionist movement gain support in the years before the Civil War was the Dred Scott decision.
1. The Dred Scott decision was a Supreme Court ruling in 1857 that stated African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not and could never be citizens of the United States. This decision also declared that Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in the territories, essentially invalidating the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
2. The Dred Scott decision sparked outrage among abolitionists and anti-slavery advocates because it not only upheld the institution of slavery but also stripped away any hope for African Americans to gain freedom and citizenship rights.
3. The ruling fueled the abolitionist movement by galvanizing support and shedding light on the injustices and inequalities faced by African Americans in the United States. It intensified the debates over slavery, further polarizing the nation along pro-slavery and anti-slavery lines.
In conclusion, the Dred Scott decision played a significant role in shaping the abolitionist movement by exposing the deep-rooted issues of slavery and inequality in the United States, ultimately leading to increased support for the movement in the years leading up to the Civil War.
